British government moves to restrict strikes, outrages unions

Update:
July, 15/2015 - 12:30

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LONDON — Britain's Conservative governmentannounced on Wednesday it would seek to pass a law restricting the conditionsunder which workers can stage strikes in a move that outraged the country'sunions.

Ministers said the "Trade Union Bill," which follows a high-profile unionshutdown of London's underground rail network last week, balanced the rights ofbusinesses and workers but left-leaning daily The Guardian called it the"biggest crackdown on trade union rights for 30 years."

The proposed law would require a turnout of at least 50 per cent of membersin strike ballots in order to authorise action.

Proposed strikes in key public services such as health, education, fire,transport, border security and energy would also have to be backed by 40 per cent of all members eligible to vote.

Currently, a simple majority of those balloted are required to vote infavour of a strike in order to trigger one, which critics say allows a smallminority of workers to call strikes.

The law would make unions ask all of their members whether they wish to payinto the union's political fund – usually raised automatically from tradeunion membership fees and a major source of funding for the opposition Labourparty.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid said that the new rules would balance therights of trade unions "with those of working people and business."

"These changes are being introduced so that strikes only happen when aclear majority of those entitled to vote have done so and all otherpossibilities have been explored," Javid said.

He said the bill would deliver on promises made by Prime Minister DavidCameron, who vowed to tighten restrictions on striking in an election campaignthat saw his centre-right party win a surprise majority in May.

'Unnecessary attack'

Under the law, votes in favour of striking would become invalid once fourmonths had passed.

"Safeguards" would also be introduced to ensure that workers who chose notto strike could "go about their business without fear of intimidation," thebusiness department said in a statement.

The government is also considering limiting pickets permitted outsideworkplaces and repealing a ban on companies hiring agency staff to fill in forstriking workers.

Trade unions reacted furiously to the news.

"This bill is an unnecessary attack on workers' rights and civil libertiesthat will shift the balance of power in the workplace," said Frances O'Grady,secretary general of the Trades Union Congress, which represents 52 unions.

"Getting a pay rise or defending terms and conditions will become farharder for working people."

The public services union Unison decried the proposals as "spiteful," whilePaul Kenny of the Labour-affiliated GMB union accused the Conservative party oftrying to undermine funding for its rival.

"It is clear that the Tory Party High Command intend to make the LabourParty bankrupt by cutting off the main source of funding that they have reliedon since the 1930s," Kenny said.

But business groups welcomed the proposals, with the Confederation ofBritish Industry praising minimum vote turnout rules as "important, but fair."

Adam Marshall, Executive Director of Policy and External Affairs at theBritish Chambers of Commerce, said that the right to strike "must be exercisedwith the greatest restraint."

"Businesses will see this as a sensible piece of legislation that carefullybalances the rights of those wishing to withhold their labour, against therights of those who rely on access to essential services," Marshall said. -- AFP